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Participants, providers sought for new transportation program

San Juan County is starting a Transportation Voucher Program to provide transportation assistance to island residents who meet senior, veteran, low-income or disabled eligibility requirements.

The program is seeking residents to participate and businesses or individuals to provide transportation services. The Transportation Voucher Program is part of the San Juan County Community Transportation Program, a state grant-funded effort to raise public awareness about existing transportation options, provide better access to transportation services to qualified residents, and define the county transportation system of the future.

Residents may check eligibility requirements and apply using the San Juan County Community Transportation webpages (www.sanjuanco.com/publictransport). Or, contact a senior coordinator, family resource representative, or Christopher Aiken, 360-370-7512; christophera@sanjuanco.com.

To be eligible for transportation assistance, you must be a county resident and over age 60, a U.S. military veteran, disabled, or low-income (income under $25,000 last year).

Transportation providers of all types - taxi companies, bike shops, personal drivers and auto repair shops - will be considered for the program.

“We’re trying to establish a broad palette of transportation options to best fit the diverse needs of our community members who are vulnerable to gaps in our transportation system,” program coordinator Christopher Aiken said.

Aiken said that providers must apply, meet with program directors and sign a simple contract. Providers must wait up to two weeks for financial reimbursement.

More information about becoming a provider of transportation services is available at the Community Transportation webpages (www.sanjuanco.com/publictransport), or contact Aiken, contact info above.

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